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The Nigerian government has expended approximately ₦1.4 billion for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists and the establishment of terrorism trial centres over the past eighteen months.
Following the approval of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 12, 2022, the government established the National Counter-Terrorism Centre.
In December 2022, the government announced plans to create two centres dedicated to disarmament, deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration for former members of Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations operating within the country.
Rear Admiral Yem Musa (retd.), the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, informed the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence that the government intends to invest N2.4 billion in these centres as part of the NCTC’s ₦3.8 billion capital projects budgeted for 2023.
However, an investigation by The PUNCH through the use of GovSpend, a civic technology platform that monitors and analyzes Federal Government expenditures, indicated that from December 2022 to May 2024, the Ministry of Justice expended a total of ₦1.4 billion on the construction of rehabilitation centres for repentant terrorists and the renovation of a previously abandoned facility for terrorism-related trials.
On March 27, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Justice allocated ₦612 million to three companies for the renovation and furnishing of abandoned buildings designated for terrorism trials, as well as for the construction of dormitories intended for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor.
The initial payment of ₦286.7 million was made to El-haby Concept Limited for renovating and furnishing an abandoned structure for terrorism trials at Giwa Barracks, as authorized by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on March 21, 2023.
The second instalment of ₦21.5 million was disbursed to Interprise Limited as consultancy fees for designing and overseeing facilities intended for rehabilitating repentant terrorists at the OSC. Additionally, a sum of ₦303.7 million was allocated to Fosab Global Energy Service Limited as a supplementary payment of 40% for the construction of the rehabilitation centre.
In 2024, the ministry allocated a total of ₦179 million to three firms for similar initiatives. The initial payment of N11.5 million was transferred to Jayjaysen Integrated Links Ltd on March 22, 2024, for the provision of desktop computers and LaserJet printers/toners to support the prosecution of terrorism cases, as sanctioned by the SGF on December 1, 2023.
Subsequently, ₦16.4 million was remitted to Estergel Ltd on April 8, 2024, for the acquisition of computers and accessories for the same objective, as authorized by the SGF on December 18, 2023.
Lastly, on May 3, 2024, ₦151.8 million was paid to Fosab Global Energy Service Ltd as part of the payment for the construction of the rehabilitation centre.
NCTC Account On Trials Of Terrorists
On December 15, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) announced in a statement that it had achieved the conviction of at least 325 terrorists during its Phase 5 and Phase 6 trials held at the Kainji Detention Facility.
The centre indicated that the sentences imposed on the convicted individuals varied significantly, ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment and prison terms of 20 to 70 years, contingent upon the gravity of the offences committed.
During the Phase 5 trial, which took place in July 2024, approximately 143 cases were adjudicated, resulting in 125 convictions. In the subsequent Phase 6 trial, 237 cases were processed, leading to 200 convictions at the same facility.
However, the government has not provided any information regarding the commencement of the Phase 7 trials.
When asked by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice about why the trials were conducted in secrecy, no response was given to reporters.
Various security experts and civil society organizations have voiced differing views regarding the clandestine nature of the terrorism trials.
During an interaction with The PUNCH, Security expert Lekan Jackson-Ojo remarked that secret trials undermine credibility.
“When politicians, armed robbers, or the so-called Yahoo boys commit offences, the press is allowed to report on it, and the entire world knows about it. But why are we trying these enemies of humanity, enemies of God—the Satanists—in secrecy?
“For over 20 years, members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have been in Nigeria, killing thousands of people and rendering millions homeless. How many of these people have been sentenced to life imprisonment?” he queried.
Chidi Omeje, another security expert, also condemned the secret trials, saying, “Why would they conduct secret trials? Does it mean the military, for example, is trying to protect these terrorists who are also killing their personnel?”
“The terrorists have killed a lot of military officers. So, why would the military participate in any action to shield their prosecution? I think it has to do with procedural issues because they are dealing with so many arrested terrorists.”
However, another security expert, Kabir Adamu, argued that the government’s decision to conduct secret trials was justified for security reasons.
He said, “It is very commendable that this administration has prioritised the trial of suspects, especially those facing terrorism-related charges and who have been in detention for a very long time, some for more than a decade. However, these trials must be conducted according to standard procedures to ensure transparency and compliance with the rule of law.”
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